The CFRE is a Practice-based Credential
CFRE Exam questions are based on what fundraisers actually do every day. Questions are framed against the broader context of best practices in ethical fundraising that have been tested and measured within the international fundraising community.
This larger body of knowledge is researched by a professional testing agency using a detailed survey called a job analysis.
How the Job Analysis Works
Using confidential surveys sent to fundraising professionals around the world, including CFRE certified and non-certified individuals, the job analysis survey collects and details the actual day-to-day skills, tasks, and critical levels of understanding and task applications for professional fundraisers in each of the six different categories of the CFRE Exam.
Each exam question is both rooted in one of the task categories and referenced to at least one (and preferably two) specific and commonly accepted professional texts that support its correct answer.
Only those tasks performed most frequently or deemed most critical by the majority of respondents are included on the exam. This means the exam covers a broad base of fundraising knowledge.
Candidates with a great deal of knowledge in one focused area will still need to have some familiarity with other areas of fundraising. Likewise, candidates need not feel they should be experts in every type of fundraising.
Last conducted in 2015, the next Job Task Analysis was slated for 2020. Due to the global pandemic, it was delayed until early 2022.
More than 1,800 fundraising professionals, both those who are CFREs and non-CFREs, responded. Responses were received from 21 countries: Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Republic of South Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, and Uruguay.
The detailed results of this international survey underpin the current CFRE Exam. The job analysis is updated every five years to assure the exam and the eligibility requirements reflect current fundraising practice. The next job analysis will be conducted in 2027.
